A WAR of words has broken out between rival pizza chains as a new take-away prepares to open just yards from the door of an existing one.

Domino's Pizza has succeeded in its appeal to set up shop at 276 Loughton High Road, to the dismay of Papa John's just a few doors down.

The chain was originally refused permission to set up at the former Ladbroke's store on the grounds that the town already had too many A5-classed take-away outlets.

But that decision was overturned on appeal, and the chain has now put in a further application to extend the building which Papa John's has objected to.

Papa John's, manager Khalid Blkhari said: “We'll be three doors away. It doesn't make sense. If it's somewhere like Ilford where there's so much competition anyway maybe, but it's going to ruin the high street.

“On this side there's six shops and four of them are fast food. One of the empty units is for an opticians and one for A5 use. It's too small for Domino's but they're just so desperate to get into this type of area.

“It's a small high street and people are suffering. Rent rates are really high- we're struggling to pay them. There's a Pizza Hut down the road and they're already suffering. One of these businesses will have to close down. There's already too many fast food places there.”

Domino's latest application, due to be heard this Wednesday (November 9) is recommended for approval as it already has permission for a change of use.

A spokesman for Domino’s Pizza said: “We are delighted that our application has been approved and we are very much looking forward to bringing fresh, oven-baked pizza to homes in Loughton.

“Work on the new store has begun and we’re hoping to open the store during the spring. The new store will create around 25 to 30 new jobs for local people, including trainee managers, pizza makers, customer service representatives and delivery experts. Details of how to apply for jobs will be announced in the coming weeks.”